It remains to be seen how much blow back – if any – the Nationals will cop, as the news of Deputy Prime Minister and party leader Barnaby Joyce's affair with a former staffer comes to light.

There are fears within the party that the affair and subsequent pregnancy could put a major dent in its support, given the conservative nature of its heartland, and there are concerns the party’s membership numbers could drop.

Many have pointed to the hypocritical nature of Mr Joyce's personal situation – the Deputy Prime Minister has famously aired his traditional family values during his election campaigns and also throughout the same-sex marriage debate, although he refused to take part in the final vote.

Now the National party has closed ranks around its leader.

The Northern Daily Leader contacted both NSW Nationals chair Bede Burke and New England branch chair Russell Webb, however they both declined to comment, citing personal and family reasons.